active and able organizers. But he did not himself come into contact with Tustin.
Floyd was summoned one day to lunch with the company officials in their private room at the New Rome Hotel. Some of the superintendents were there and reported the state of mind prevailing in their mills. Most of them were disposed to regard lightly the union agitation. "There's no real disaffection among the men," said the superintendent of Open-Hearth Number One. "This is one of those periodic simmerings; we've had them before. The union has several times got a foothold here; but it's never been for long."
"I think they mean business now," said Gregg slowly. "The union agents have been working systematically the past two months. Mr. Halket, what is your opinion, from what you see among the men?"
"The men are joining the union a good deal more readily than they were a month ago," Floyd answered. "But it does n't seem to be with any particular end in view."
"There never yet was a beginning but what some end grew out of it," remarked one of the superintendents pessimistically. "I'd fight the movement and choke it before it gets under way."
"That," said Gregg, stroking the prongs of his beard, "is something to consider.—Your grandfather will be back the latter part of the week, Mr. Halket?"
"Yes," said Floyd.
"I guess," observed Gregg, "we'll get an opinion from him before we take steps. Mr. Sharp, has n't Mr. Halket here learned all there is to know about making steel?"
"I was just going to suggest," replied the superintendent of Open-Hearth Number Two, "that he might go on to something else pretty soon. Don't you think so, Mr. Halket?"
"Why," said Floyd, "I feel that I've learned something; if you think it's enough, I'm ready any time for a change."
